Jones School names Fleck assistant dean of external relations

Rachel Fleck

Following a nationwide search, Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business has named Rachel Fleck assistant dean of external relations. She was previously the director of development and interim external relations team lead for the Jones School. Emerging as the top candidate with enthusiastic support from the search committee and Jones School deans, her role as assistant dean began Jan. 1.

Beginning in July 2013, Fleck took on increasing responsibility for leading the external relations team through the successful completion of the $65 million Centennial Campaign, working with the school’s Council of Overseers, faculty, staff, students, Jones Partners, alumni and a variety of stakeholders throughout the Rice community.

Fleck has led the school’s fundraising efforts on important initiatives, such as relaunching the Master of Accounting Degree Program, initiating the Military Scholars Program, supporting the Crownover Scholars Program and overseeing the management of the Jones Fund.

“Her record of success at the Jones School has been consistent and remarkable,” said Jay Collins, Jones School Council of Overseers (COO) chairman. “I am confident our development objectives will continue to progress under her leadership.” Jim Postl, co-chair of the COO Development Committee, said he couldn’t be more pleased about Flecks’ appointment. “She has been tireless in bringing the capital campaign to a successful close and her work with a wide range of constituencies has been outstanding. It is a delight to work with her.”

“Having worked with the external relations team for more than two years, I’m extremely honored and excited to be a part of a great leadership team,” Fleck said. “With the support of our alumni, corporate partners and the community, we’ve successfully completed our Centennial Campaign goals, and I look forward to building upon that momentum in the years ahead.”

Prior to joining Rice in 2011, Fleck served in a progression of assistant and associate director roles in development and alumni relations at the University of Michigan for eight years, primarily within the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. In addition to her accomplishments within the Jones School, she has been an invited presenter at conferences for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Accounting Programs Leadership Group – Federation of Schools of Accountancy.